Sandee Abern and Clint Wolf, Realtors Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Sandee Abern and Clint Wolf, Realtors Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Helping people to find the perfect home or sell their existing home for over 27 years! 847-465-3667. E-mail us at [email protected].

Providing outstanding service for real estate buyers and sellers for over 27 years! We service the Chicagoland area, including the city of Chicago and all the suburbs!

03/04/2014

Q: Does it make more sense to rent or buy a home?
A: According to Trulia, home prices in Chicago went through a slump in the later half of 2013, which left the median price of a home at about $170,000. That's about 10% below the national average. At the same time, rental prices jumped about 7% in 2013, well above the national average.
So what's you best move? It's always a personal choice, but according to Trulia, buying a home and owning it for seven years can save you about 47% over the cost of renting a similar property.

02/25/2014

Are you getting ready to move? Here are some tips to help you get started...
1) Think about hiring a mover. If you've got a bad back, trick knee, etc., it's probably a good idea to hire a professional to pack and move your things.
2) Before you move, close out any accounts, like your health club, library, etc.
3) Send change of address forms to utility companies, magazines and newspapers that you subscribe to, etc.
4) Research the utilities that service your new home. Get their phone numbers and contact them, so they know when you are closing on your new home. This will help avoid lapses in service.
5) Get rid of possessions that you no longer need. The less you have to move with, the better. Before you throw things away, however, consider having a garage sale. You can hopefully turn your old junk into cash!
6) Clear out your refrigerator the day before you move. Eat what you can, and give the rest to neighbors or the stray cat that always seems to be hanging around your back door. The less you have to worry about on the day of your move, the better.

02/10/2014

Are you planning to sell your home in the spring? Here are some tips to help you get started now...
1) Call a licensed property inspector now. Many buyers will ask sellers to repair items in their home, so it's a good idea to give your home a full inspection even before you put your home on the market. Fixing minor or major items in your home upfront will help your home show better, and show buyers that you take pride in your home. If you need the name of excellent home inspectors, please feel free to contact us.
2) Pick up clutter in your home and around it's exterior. Less clutter makes your home seem larger, and helps it show better.
3) Give your yard a full check up. Selling in the spring means that your yard will have to look it's best, and this involves repairing bare spots (when the weather allows), picking up stray trash that may have blown into your yard during the winter, etc. As we get closer to spring, it's also always important to fertilize your yard and apply w**d killer. First impressions are VERY important.
4) Create a maintenance schedule. If there are a number of repairs to be made in your home, creating a schedule may help you meet your spring deadline.
5) Check out the competition. Comparing your home to others in the area can help you decide what your home may need in terms of upgrades (if any), and help you get a higher resale price for your home. If you would like to know which homes are on the market in your neighborhood, and what amenities they offer, just let us know.

02/08/2014

What is a jumbo loan?
Each year Freddie Mac, Fannie May and their regulator (the Federal Housing Finance Agency) set a maximum amount for loans that they will buy from lenders. Usually, that limit is $417,000, although that number can be as high as $625,500. Mortgage amounts can, of course, exceed these limits. Those mortgages are referred to as jumbo mortgages.
It's getting easier to get a jumbo mortgage loan! For the first time in over 20 years, rates on jumbo mortgages are, in many cases, at or below rates of conventional loans.
In addition, in 2013, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and some of their competitors cut minimum down payments from 20% to 15%.
If you have any questions about jumbo mortgages, you should consult a qualified lender or mortgage broker. If you need the names of some, please feel free to contact us.

02/07/2014

Many people are asking us about reverse mortgages, such as what exactly are they and how do they work. Here is a brief description of reverse mortgages...
Reverse mortgages are loans that people who are 62 years old or older can take out against their home's equity. They are backed by the FHA, and don't have to be repaid until the homeowner moves out or passes away.
Many people run into problems, though, when they take the money as a lump sum and spend the money too freely. Often, then, they don't have enough cash to pay their property taxes, insurance, etc., and are forced to default. These people are at risk of possibly losing their homes.
Some things are changing, though. New rules have been enacted that discourage borrowers from taking lump sum payments. This law works by reducing the amount of money a borrower will receive if they choose to take a lump sum payment, rather than spreading the payments out over time. Depending on underwriting guidelines, some borrowers may see their payment reduced by 10-18% if they choose to take all their money at once.
Monthly payments often work to the borrower's advantage, anyway. Even if payments (plus interest) exceed the home's value, the payments keep coming.
Something to remember is that reverse mortgages can be expensive. There is a 2.5% origination fee on the first $200,000 borrowed on some loans, an upfront mortgage insurance fee of 2% and various other fees.
If you are thinking about getting a reverse mortgage, please make sure to talk to an expert first. Experts include an attorney and a lender. If you need the names of either (or both), please feel free to contact us.

02/06/2014

Thinking of doing some touching up to the inside of your home? Here are some painting tips we hope you find helpful...

No. 1: To get the job done right, you need good quality tools. If you are going to spend your hard earned money on paint, don't buy cheap applicators. Investing in good brushes and other applicators is worth the extra expense.

No. 2: Always do repair work first so that your walls are smooth, clean, dry and free of loose debris before you begin painting.

No. 3: Don't over-extend your dip. When you overextend your paint dip, the paint can dry in the brush bristles, and the fabric on rollers can mat down. Always extend a smooth line of paint on your roller.

No. 4: Learn how to breathe for success. The way you breathe, especially when working on edges, can effect the steadiness of your hand. When you need steadiness, hold your breath or breath out. That helps avoid the "shakes."

No. 5: Don't let your touch up paint dry out. To extend the life of your leftover paint, try these tricks. For water-based paint, place a piece of clear plastic wrap directly on the surface of the paint, then reseal the container. For oil-based paint, add about a half-inch of water on the surface before resealing.

No. 6: Always consult a professional before you paint!

01/25/2014

Some important tips on shoveling snow...
1) Don't be in a hurry to get outside. Stretch thoroughly using the same sorts of moves that runners, mountain bikers and other athletes use. Stretch your hamstrings, stretch your back, and stretch your shoulders.
2) Don't shovel the same spot twice! Before you even take your first scoop, decide where you're going to dump the snow. Drop the first shovelful farther away from where you are standing, then dump remaining snow closer and closer to where you are.
3) Clean your car first. Brush snow off cars then clear around the cars.
4) Keep hydrated. Take bottles of water out with you and keep them accessible, either in the car or on the front stoop or somewhere else convenient.
5) Take breaks frequently. Clearing an area by hand means that you may lift and carry anywhere from hundreds of pounds to tons of snow.
6) Don't over dress. You need to stay warm, but if you over dress you're going to be soaked in sweat in no time. Take layers off if you start feeling overheated.
7) Team up...shoveling with a friend or neighbor is inherently more enjoyable than shoveling on your own. Plus, it's quicker to get the job done with two or three sets of hands.
8) Stretch when you are done shoveling. Rest afterwards and remain hydrated.

01/24/2014

Handy home maintenance tips...
1) Test your garage door opener monthly to ensure that it reverses when it hits an obstruction or when its sensor beam is interrupted.
2) Vacuum the clothes dryer's exhaust duct at least once a year.
3) Replace furnace filters on a regular basis, or as recommended by your furnace's manufacturer.
4) Test all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets monthly.
5) Clean leaves and debris from the condenser of a central air conditioner seasonally (it's always wise to have a professional check your HVAC system on a regular basis).
6) Have the fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional.
7) Inspect window and door caulking and weather stripping yearly.
8) Keep your smoke and CO detectors batteries fresh, and check them regularly.

01/24/2014

Feeling a chill? Here are some tips to help you stay warm when you go outside...
1) Avoid wearing cotton! Cotton traps moisture against your skin. Use polypropylene or another synthetic material that is advertised to wick the moisture away from your skin.
2) Layer up! This refers to the way you dress. Start with soft layers against the skin and finish with a nylon material that will fight off wind and rain. As the temperature changes, you can add or remove layers as needed.
3) Eat for the trip. Your body will generate heat as it burns the fuel you have fed it. Eat foods that are high in fat content and calories.
4) Drink lots of liquids. When it is below freezing the air will draw moisture out of you. If you are dehydrated it is harder for your body to keep you warm.
5) Wear a hat, gloves and warm socks. There's nothing more uncomfortable than having numb fingers and toes, and a freezing head!

01/23/2014

Three ways to stay warm on cold winter days!
1.Warm yourself – Most people think that they have to warm their entire home. Nowadays, that can cause your bills to be sky high! The key is to warm yourself and not the entire house. There are several ways to do this: reverse your ceiling fans, lay rugs on bare floors, use electric blankets and heating pads and wear heavier clothing indoors.
2.Insulate – Keeping the warm air inside and the cold air outside is one of the best ways to save energy. Check the insulation in walls, attics and crawlspaces. If you need to add some, do so. There are also other ways to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. Caulk and weather strip any cracks, crevices and holes. Make sure your storm windows are closed. If your windows are a little (or a lot) warped, you may need to replace them.
3.Turn if off – Turn the heat way down at night when you sleep or when you are away. Try a programmable thermostat, too. They can save you lots of money.

Address

Buffalo Grove, IL
60089

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18474653667

Website

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